The high percentage of out-of-school children in Kano State, Nigeria, has drawn serious concern from UNICEF, which has identified it as a top contributor to the nation’s educational challenges. Speaking during a news conference on the International Day of Education (IDE), Mr. Rahama R.M. Farah, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, stated that the number in the state has nearly reached one million. According to Farah, the Northwest area of the country has the second-highest rate of out-of-school children in the nation, with Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states being major contributors to the issue.
These three states account for 16 percent of Nigeria’s 10.2 million primary school-age out-of-school children. In particular, Jigawa is responsible for 337,861, Katsina for 536,112, and Kano accounted for 989,234 children. As reported, 32 percent of Kano’s elementary school-age youngsters are not attending school. Farah also expressed worry about the subpar learning received by individuals who are enrolled. He cited that the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2021) found that just 25% of Nigerian students between the ages of 7 and 14 are able to read a short phrase or work out simple math problems. The rates of foundational learning in Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano are startlingly low.
Low literacy and numeracy rates in Kano and Jigawa.
According to tests conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2022, less than 1% of Jigawa primary school students exhibit numeracy skills, and just 2% of students have fundamental reading skills. With reading proficiency of 9.6% and numeracy skills of 11.2%, Kano performed somewhat better but still far below the national averages of 26% and 25%, respectively. Farah bemoaned the fact that, in spite of recent advances in financial allocations, especially in Kano and Jigawa, which have surpassed UNESCO norms, the states’ education system still faces financing issues. He added that real fund flows and expenditures have not kept pace with the situation, which has impeded progress.
This concerning figure has revealed the depth of the situation regarding access to high-quality education in one of Nigeria’s most populous states. Despite its rich history and economic significance, the state’s future development is seriously threatened by the growing number of out-of-school children. This is due to the fact that Kano, one of Nigeria’s key economic hubs, depends heavily on the education of its youth. Insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship are among the numerous issues that stakeholders have recognized as contributing to this trend.
UNICEF and Kano State tackle barriers to enrollment.
Furthermore, cultural beliefs in some communities pose a huge barrier. In some cases, parents worry about their children’s safety due to instability in particular regions. The UNICEF representative emphasized the organization’s dedication to tackling this problem by putting in place initiatives that increase educational access, particularly for underprivileged kids. As part of its effort to lower the obstacles that prevent children from attending school, the group has been collaborating closely with local communities and government organizations to offer advocacy and services.
Such initiatives include expanding educational facilities, providing training for teachers, and starting campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of education. On its part, the Kano State government has responded by promising to step up its efforts to resolve the issue. In order to increase enrollment across all local governments, state authorities highlighted a number of ongoing activities, including enhancing school infrastructure, hiring skilled instructors, and starting public campaigns like the Kano State 2024 School Enrollment Drive Campaign. Officials stressed that these actions are aimed at guaranteeing that no child is left behind, irrespective of socioeconomic background.
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In spite of these actions, a sizable gap still exists. Notwithstanding recent modest advances in financial allocations and humanitarian aid for education in the northern area, these measures are still insufficient to adequately address the scope of the issue. While the government’s promises and UNICEF’s dedication provide a glimmer of hope, the road ahead is still a long way to go. Only through a combination of strategic policies, community engagement, and increased funding can Kano and the Northwest region as a whole begin to reverse the trend of out-of-school children and pave the way for a brighter future.